Tackling dummy with freely suspended fibrous core



8- 22, 1957 A. B. CUMMINS TACKLING DUMMY WITH FREELY SUSPENDED FIBROUSCORE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 2, 1966 Aug- 2, 1967 A. B. CUMMINSTACKLING DUMMY WITH FREELY SUSPENDED FIBROUS CORE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FiledMay 2, 1966 I N VE N TOR. flA/WED 15. COMM/N6 BY 461% @1444. as iwr777'0/PNEY5 Aug. 22, 1967 A. B. CUMMINS TACKLING DUMMY WITH FREELYSUSPENDED FIBROUS CORE 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 2, 1966 I'Tyi4 Aug.22, 1967 A, a. CUMMINS TACKLING DUMMY WITH FREELY SUSPENDED F'IBROUSCORE 4 SheetsSheet 4 Filed May 2, 1966 INVENTOR B. CUMMINS ALFRED ATTORUnited States Patent 3,337,217 TACKLING DUMMY WITH FREELY SUSPENDEDFIBROUS CORE Alfred B. Cummins, 401 Miles Road, Chagrin Falls, Ohio44022 Filed May 2, 1966, Ser. No. 546,915 13 Claims. (Cl. 273-55) Thisapplication is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Ser.No. 327,421, filed Dec. 2, 1963, for Tackling Dummy, now abandoned.

This invention relates to tackling dummies for use in the training,practice, and conditioning of football players.

Tackling dummies are universally recognized as important articles ofathletic equipment for the training of football players. The dummiesgenerally comprise an elongated cylindrical body having a nonrigid coreand a suitable tough, pliable cover. Said dummies are tackled and struckin the execution of practice maneuvers related to the game of footballwhereby the skill and physical conditioning of football players isimproved in preparation for the actual playing of the game. Such dummiesare preferably of sturdy construction, capable of withstanding repeatedblows by the football players, and present to the players objectsrepresenting as nearly as possible the characteristics of liveopponents. It is the general object of this invention to provide animproved tackling dummy having the above characteristics.

More particularly, it is an object of this invention to provide atackling dummy having a rigid suspension means at the upper end thereoffrom which pliable core means is suspended and which positivelymaintains the cross sectional shape of the dummy in use thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tackling dummy having ayieldable lower portion and a relatively solid compact upper portionwhich effectively duplicates the general characteristics of a uniformedopponent.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tackling dummy of thetype described having a swiveling support at the upper end thereof sothat the dummy when tackled may swivel generally about its verticallongitudinal axis. Another object of this invention is to provide atackling dummy comprising a rigid suspension ring near the top uponwhich are folded a multiplicityof hanks of folded rope-like material,these hanks being of substantially uniform weight so that by countingthe number of such hanks suspended from the suspension ring, the totalweight of the dummy can be reasonably accurately approximated.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be understoodfrom the following description of three embodiments of the invention asillustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a tackling dummy according to the firstembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical section, enlarged, taken along the line 22 of FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is a transverse, horizontal section, enlarged taken along theline 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a transverse section; enlarged, taken along the line 4-4 ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a transverse section, enlarged, taken along the line 55 ofFIG. l; 7

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view, enlarged, of the tackling dummy of thefirst embodiment as seen from the line 66 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective view of a detail of thecore means and suspension ring of the first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged, fragmentary detail showing a portion of thesuspension means for the first embodiment of the invention;

3,337.21? Patented Aug. 22, 1967 FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 1showing, in elevation, a tackling dummy according to the secondembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a view of the core means of the second embodiment at aninitial stage in the construction of the dummy;

FIG. 11 is a view of the dummy of the second embodiment at anintermediate stage in its construction;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged detail of the second embodiment as indicated bythe encircled portion of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a transverse section taken generally along the line 1313 ofFIG. 14;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged, semisectional view of the dummy illustrated inFIG. 9;

FIG. 15 is an elevational view of a tackling dummy according to thethird embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 16 is a vertical section enlarged taken along the line 16-16 ofFIG. 15.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, thetackling dummy of the first embodiment of the invention generallycomprises an elongated, cylindrical body 10 axially vertically disposedand suspended from a hook 11 by a plurality of suspension cables 12. Theupper end portion of the body 10 is compressively encased in a jacket13, and an anchor cable 14 extends through the center of the body 10along the axis thereof. The cable 14 projects beyond the body 10 ineither direction said anchor cable having an upper loop 14a whichengages the hook 11 and a lower loop 14b which is connected to an anchorstake 15 by a short connector cable 16. The anchor stake 15 is driveninto, mounted in, or otherwise suitably secured to a ground surfacegenerally indicated at G. It will be understood that the hook 11 isconnected to a suitable frame or suspension apparatus of any suitabletype (not herein illustrated).

Referring now particularly to FIG. 2, the body 10 comprises amultiplicity of strands 20 of rope, line, cord, or the like suspendedfrom a suspension ring shown at 21. The suspension ring 21 is best seenin FIG. 4 and comprises an annulus 22 made of metal or other rigidmaterial and having pairs of parallel, rod-like members disposed in acrisscross pattern within the annulus and welded or otherwise suitablysecured to the inner periphery thereof. The strands 20 may comprise ropeor cord made of sisal, hemp, or the like which are folded or coiled toform hanks or skeins which are looped at their upper ends over theannulus 22 and the'crisscross members 23. FIG. 7 shows in enlargeddetail the manner in which a hank or skein of the strands 20 is loopedover a portion of the annulus 22. Additional shorter strands 20a may beprovided for the purpose of giving more solidity and compactness to theupper end portion of the body.

A steel strap or band 24 (FIG. 2) is drawn tightly around the strands 20and 20a just below the suspension ring 21 to initially urge the upperend portion of the body into a compact mass and to hold the loopedstrands firmly in place. The strands, ring, and strap are encased in apliable cover 25 which is made of any suitable clothlike and flexiblematerial such as canvas. The cover 25 has an upper end closure portion26 and a lower end closure portion 27 which are suitably apertured at 28and 29 re spectively to allow the anchor cable 14 to project beyond theends of the body 10. As best shown in FIG. 3, the upper closure portion26 is further provided with a plurality of apertures 30 through whichthe suspension cables 12, connected at their lower ends to the annulus22, project upwardly.

The jacket 13 is preferably made of a heavy, relatively nonpliable orstill material such as leather or heavy plastic and is disposed a shortdistance below the suspension ring 21. Said jacket is rectangular inshape with the longer dimension thereof being slightly less than theouter circumference of the body 10. Suitable lacing 31 made of leather,plastic, or heavy cord is laced through a plurality of apertures 32disposed adjacent to the circumferentially directed ends of the jacket13 whereby said jacket is drawn tightly and compressively about theupper end portion of the body 10. The upper periphery of the jacket isprovided with a plurality of apertures 34 adapted to receive additionallacing 33 which extends up over the top of the body and across the upperclosure portion 26 of the cover to prevent said jacket from slippingdownwardly along said body. This latter mentioned lacing is most clearlyillustrated in FIG, 3 of the drawings.

FIG. 8 shows one manner in which the suspension cables 12 may be securedto the suspension ring 21. The lower ends of said cables are preferablyconnected to the annulus 22 by forming a loop portion around the annulusand then securing the free end of the cable to the cable itself in somesuitable manner such as by tightly wrapping the two cable portionstogether with heavy wire 36. Said suspension cables may be continuousfrom one point of attachment on the annulus 22 to another point ofattachment thereon with the intermediate portion of said cable beinglooped over the hook 11. In this manner, two suspension cables 12 willsuffice and provide four points of suspension about the annulus of thesuspension ring 21 whereby the body 10 will hang vertically andsymmetrically from the book 11. By thus using two cables, a safetyfactor is introduced in that if one of said cables wears out and breaks,the other of said cables will prevent the tackling dummy from falling.

The loop portions at either end of the anchor cable 14 may be formed ina manner similar to the loop portions 35 by folding the end portionsback upon the cable and wrapping the same with heavy wire 37 (FIG. 1).In use of the dummy, the lower end thereof may be allowed to swingfreely or it may be anchored by a connector cable 16 and an anchor stake15 as illustrated, at the selection of the football coach or trainer.

The size, dimensions, or weight of a tackling dummy according to thisinvention are not critical to the invention and may be varied to suitthe needs and preferences of football players of different sizes anddifferent age groups. The diameter of the dummy may be varied byincreasing or decreasing the number of strands 20, and the length of thebody 10 will be determined by the length of said strands. Generally, atackling dummy for use by mature football players of college andprofessional caliber is about 5' in length with a body diameter ofapproximately 17". Under these circumstances, the lower edge of thejacket 13 extends downwardly from the top of the body from about 19" to24" or preferably not more than /3 of the total length of the body.However, this may be varied to suit individual needs and preferences.The total weight of the dummy constructed as described above is about210 lbs. but may be more or less depending on the nature of the materialfrom which the strands are made.

The resultant construction provides a tackling dummy which is reasonablysoft and safe at its lower portion for practicing heavy body blowswhereas the upper portion of said dummy presents a harder, less flexiblesurface. This arrangement closely resembles a uniformed opponent whosemost solid and heavily padded portion is up around his head andshoulders and who is generally more vulnerable to being upset at thelower, less fully padded portion of his body.

The second embodiment of the invention as illustrated in FIGS. 914 hassubstantially the same basic characteristics and affords the sameadvantages as discussed in connection with the first embodiment of theinvention. As shown in FIG. 9, the tackling dummy of the secondembodiment comprises a body which is elongated and of cylindrical formand which is suspended upon a vertical axis from a suitable hook 41.Suspension cables 42 are provided for connecting the body to the hook,and the upper end portion of said body is encased in a jacket 43 whichis similar in all respects to the jacket 13 of the first embodirnent. Acentrally disposed anchor cable 44 extends all the way through the body40, the upper end of said cable having a loop 44a and the lower endthereof having an exposed loop 44b for connecting the lower end of thedummy to an anchor stake 15 if desired. As in the first embodiment ofthe invention, the circumferentially directed ends of the jacket 43 aredrawn together by lacing 45 threaded through suitable apertures 46 inthe end portions of said jacket. Additional lacing 47 threaded throughsuitable upper edge apertures '48 of said jacket is also provided acrossthe top of the body portion 40.

The second embodiment differs from the first embodirnent in theconstruction of the body portion thereof. As best shown in FIG. 10, thebody portion 40 comprises an elongated strip of a pliable material suchas canvas, said strip being indicated at 50. Overlying the strip 50there is provided a relatively narrower strip which is disposed with oneedge thereof directly aligned with an edge of the relatively largerstrip St). The wider strip 50 may be, for example, about 5 in width inwhich case the narrower strip 51 is preferably about 2 in width. Also,it is preferable that the narrower strip 51 be of a substantiallyheavier, thicker fabric than the wider strip 50.

Adjacent to one end of the two strips thus assembled, the anchor cable44 is disposed parallel with the width of the wider strip 50 withportions of said cable projecting above and below the edges of saidstrip 50. The central portion of the anchor cable may be secured to thenarrower strip 51 in any suitable manner such as by means of a staple52.

Spaced lengthwise along the narrower strip 51 but disposed perpendicularto the length thereof there are provided a plurality of connector cords53 having enlarged lower ends or knobs 54. Said connector cords may belengths of relatively light metal cable, and the knobs 54 may be lead orother suitable material formed on the cable ends. A staple 52 secureseach connector cord 53 to the narrower strip 51 just above eachassociated knob 54. The knobs 54 are located just above the lower edgeof the narrower strip 51 so that they will be disposed generally withinthe upper of the tackling dummy.

The body 40 is initially formed by spirally rolling the strips 50 and 51together starting at the end thereof adjacent to which the anchor cable44 is disposed. It will be noted that the connector cords 53 are quitewidely spaced apart adjacent to the anchor cable 44 and areprogressively more closely spaced in a direction away from said anchorcable. The reason for this will be obvious when it is remembered thatthe first or inner spirals of the rolled material will be quite smallwhereas the outer and final spirals will describe a substantialcircumferential dimension. Therefore, to afford a substantially even distribution of connector cords projecting upwardly from the upper end ofthe body portion 40, it is necessary to provide relatively less cords atthe small, inner spirals than at the relatively larger, outer spirals.

FIG. 11 shows the strips 50 and 51 in the rolled condition with theplurality of connector cords and the anchor cable projecting freelyupwardly from the upper end thereof. At this time, a pair of straps 55made of steel or the like are drawn tightly about the upper portion ofthe roll whereby the portion thereof containing the narrower strip 51and the connector cords 53 is compressed tightly together. The lowermostof said straps is preferably disposed just above the knobs '54.

The multiplicity of upwardly projecting connector cords 53 and theanchor cable 44 are then connected to a suspension ring 60 made of steelor the like. Said suspension rrng comprises a plurality of annuli 61,62, and 63 of different diameters disposed concentric to each other andinterconnected by radial members 64. As best shown in FIG. 14, theconnector cords 53 associated with the outermost spirals of the roll aresecured to the outer and largest annulus 61, those cords associated withthe intermediate spirals are connected to the intermediate annulus 62,and those cords associated with the inner or smallest spirals areconnected to the innermost and smallest annulus 63. The upper loop 44aof the anchor cable is connected to the intersection of the radialmembers 64. Thus, the main weight of the body portion is suspended at amultiplicity of points across the top of the body portion, said pointsof suspension being distributed relatively evenly across the ends of therolled material. The suspension cables 42 are substantially similar tothe suspension cables 12 and are connected in the same manner to theoutermost annulus 61 of the suspension ring 60 by loops 68 thereof.

The rolled and strapped material and the suspension ring are encased ina cover 65 which is similar to the cover 25 of the first embodiment andis similarly provided with upper and lower closure portions 66 and 67.The jacket 43 is preferably made of material similar to that suggestedfor the jacket 13 and is disposed compressively about that portion ofthe body 40 which is made up of a double layer of material, the strip"50 and the strip 51. The result is that the tackling dummy has a solid,tightly rolled upper portion and a more loosely packed lower portion asbest illustrated 'in FIG. 13.

The firmer upper portion, when provided, preferably constitutes lessthan /2 the length of the body. In each of the first and secondembodiments, the means forming the core is covered by a suitable pliablecover with a jacket of relatively non-pliable material being providedadjacent to the upper end portion of the body. In each embodiment, thereis provided a rigid suspension member or ring which determines andpositively maintains the general cross sectional shape of the tacklingdummy. And in each of those embodiments, the desirable feature of havinga tackling dummy which presents a relatively hard, nonflexible upper endportion and a softer and more pliable lower end portion is present.

The third embodiment of the invention, which at present is my preferredform, is quite similar to that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and parts exactlylike those in FIGS. 1 and 2 and performing the same function have beengiven the same reference characters. Here, as in the first embodiment,the body 70 comprises a multiplicity of hanks of rope, line, cord or thelike, one of which is shown in enlarged detail in FIG. 16. As mentionedpreviously, one form of the invention comprises a number ofsubstantially identical hanks of sisal rope, each hank having 100strands of A" rope loosely twisted and weighing about 8 /2 lbs. Thesuspension ring 21 may be like that of the first embodiment including anannulus 22 of metal with cross members inside the annulus to hang themultiplicity of hanks of ropes substantially evenly distributedthroughout the cross section of the dummy. With each hank of ropelikematerial being substantially the same weight, the total weight of thedummy may be calculated by counting the number of hanks placed on thesuspension ring. For instance, thirty hanks will give a 255 lb. dummysuitable for use in professional football, whereas, nineteen or twentyhanks will give a dummy of about 165 lbs. suitable for high school agefootball players. Here again, a steel strap or band 24 may be drawntightly around the strands 20, with or without strands 20a, just belowthe suspension ring 21 to hold the looped strands firmly in place.Substantially the entire vertical length of the strands are encased in apliable cover 25 which is made of any suitable clothlike and flexiblematerial such as canvas. It will be noted that the cover 25 is generallycylindrical in shape having a lower end closure portion 27. The anchorcable 14 extends longitudinally through the vertical center line of thedummy and projects beyond the ends of the body 70. The body 10 issuspended from a hook 11 by a plurality of suspension cables 12. Theanchor cable 14 has an upper loop 14a engaging the hook 11 and a lowerloop 14b which is connected to an anchor stake 15 by a short connectorcable 16 as shown in the first embodiment.

The hook 11 is herein shown as having a straight vertically extendingportion 11a which passes between a pair of 6 bolts 71 held in a rigidframe 72 which in turn is firmly mounted on the ground G in a well knownmanner. Above the suspension member 72 a helical compression spring 73embraces the hook portion 11a and is contained between the suspensionmember 72 and a washer 74 at the upper end of the hook which is held inplace by a nut 75 threaded on the top of the hook extension to regulatethe tension of spring 73. It results from this suspension, that thedummy when tackled will at first give like a human body but during whichtime the spring 73 becomes loaded. The force of the spring then causesthe dummy to spring back against the tackler simulating the action ofthe human body. At the same time, the straight upper extension 11a ofthe hook can swivel freely in the suspension assembly shown so as tosimulate the twisting action of a human body when tackled.

A protection against the weather may be provided if desired in the formof a cloth or canvas member 76 held to the top of the dummy body 70 bymeans of a tape or wire 77 and held to the hook portion 14a by means ofloops 78 or otherwise as desired.

It will be noted that the dummy body 70 does not include a jacket 13 asshown in the first embodiments but it performs very satisfactorilywithout such a jacket.

To summarize, all embodiments of the invention provide an elongated bodyhaving a pliable inner core which is loosely packed or layered at leastat its lower portion, to afford relative softness and a certain amountof air space between the strands or layers, and is sometimes relativelymore tightly packed and resistant at its upper portion.

While my improved device has been described as a tackling dummy, itshould be understood that this device is also useful for punchingexercises by boxers and is also of some value for the exercising ofwrestlers. I, therefore, desire that the definition of my improved dummybe not limited to tackling exercises only.

What is claimed is:

1. A tackling dummy comprising a suspension member, and an elongated,pliable fibrous core means loosely packed to afford air spacestherebetween and suspended from said member, said member being engagedby and providing the sole support for said core means, said core meansand member being encased in a pliable cover.

2. A tackling dummy as defined in claim 1 wherein said fibrous coremeans comprise lengths of ropelike material extending substantially thefull length of said dummy.

3. A tackling dummy as defined in claim 1 wherein said suspension memberis rigid and substantially defines the cross sectional shape of saiddummy.

4. A tackling dummy as set forth in claim 3 including a strapsurrounding and compressing said fibrous core below and closely adjacentto said suspension member.

5. A dummy as defined in claim 3 wherein said suspension member has anannular outside member and other members crosswise thereof providingsubstantially even distribution of said fibrous core means throughoutthe cross sectional area of said dummy.

6. A tackling dummy as defined in claim 1 including a jacket ofrelatively nonpliable material surrounding the upper part of said dummyand stopping short of the lower end portion thereof.

7. A tackling dummy as defined in claim 1 wherein said fibrous coremeans consists principally of a plurality of hanks of said fibrousmaterial of substantially uniform weight, whereby the weight of saiddummy may be varied and calculated by counting the number of said hankssuspended from said suspension member.

8. A dummy as defined in claim 7 wherein each said hank consists of aplurality of strands of rope.

9. A dummy as defined in claim 8 wherein each said hank is folded oversaid suspension member and extends substantially the full length of saiddummy on opposite sides of the bight of said fold.

10. A tackling dummy as defined in claim 1 wherein said suspensionmember is a rigid ring substantially defining the cross sectional shapeof said dummy; said core means comprise an elongated strip of pliablesheet material spirally rolled about a vertical axis to form amultiplicity of radiating layers; a plurality of connector cords carriedbetween at least some of said layers and securing the upper end of saidcore means to said ring; a pliable cover encasing said core means andsaid ring; and means fastened to said ring for engaging a dummy supportmeans in use of said tackling dummy.

11. A dummy as defined in claim 1 wherein said suspension memberincludes a rigid rod extending vertically upward from said dummy inalignment with a central vertical axis of said dummy, a suspensionframe, said rod extending above said frame and freely rotatable in saidframe about the axis of said rod, a compression spring embracing saidrod above said frame, means rigidly holding the upper end of said springfixed relative to said rod, and an elongated anchor member extendingfrom said rod through said dummy on the vertical axis thereof, and meansanchoring the lower end of said anchor member.

12. A tackling dummy as set forth in claim 11 includ- References CitedUNITED STATES PATENTS 1,708,638 4/1929 Smith 272-76 X 2,088,861 8/1937Klum 273--55 2,156,831 5/1939 Andre 272 77 2,197,545 4/1940 Bachman etal. 273-55 2,334,360 11/1943 St. John 272-77 2,466,954 4/1949 King273-55 RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner.

M. R. PAGE, Assistant Examiner.

1. A TACKLING DUMMY COMPRISING A SUSPENSION MEMBER; AND AN ELONGATED,PLIABLE FIBROUS CORE MEANS LOOSELY PACKED TO AFFORD AIR SPACESTHEREBETWEEN AND SUSPENDED FROM SAID MEMBER, SAID MEMBER BEING ENGAGEDBY AND PROVIDING THE SOLE SUPPORT FOR SAID CORE MEANS, SAID CORE MEANSAND MEMBER BEING ENCASED IN A PLIABLE COVER,